Unemployment in Elmet and Rothwell falls by 60 per cent since January 2010

Alec Shelbrooke MP with apprentices at Arville Textiles in Wetherby and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in 2014. (S)

Published:20:00Saturday 07 March 2015

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Unemployment in constituency down by 60 per cent since January 2010

National unemployment rate is 5.7 per cent - down 2.3 points since the 2010 election

MP says this reflects the number of people getting off benefits and finding work

Labour candidate still has concerns

Unemployment in Wetherby’s constituency has fallen by 60 per cent since January 2010, says MP Alec Shelbrooke.

Mr Shelbrooke, who is also the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for Elmet and Rothwell, announced that this drop reflects the number of people getting off benefits and finding work. Figures from the ONS show that the most recent unemployment rate is 5.7 per cent nationally - down 2.3 points since the 2010 election.

It would be wrong to suggest that all is perfect in the employment market, it is not. But I know local workers recognise that after the worst economic crash in recent history, it has been this government’s plan to lay the foundations for a strong economy.

Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke

“It has been my plan to bring more jobs and investment to our area so these figures are incredibly positive. These new jobs are not insecure or poorly paid - three quarters of new jobs since the last election are full time, and as the figures also confirm, pay is now rising above inflation,” Mr Shelbrooke said.

“It would be wrong to suggest that all is perfect in the employment market, it is not. But I know local workers recognise that after the worst economic crash in recent history, it has been this government’s plan to lay the foundations for a strong economy so it can now deliver wage rises for working people. But this can only happen if we stay on the road to recovery.”

Labour’s PPC for Elmet and Rothwell Veronica King welcomed the good news, but said she still has concerns.

She said: “According to the government’s own figures the average real-terms annual wage in Elmet and Rothwell has fallen by £1,479 since 2010.

“Labour’s plans to increase the minimum wage to £8 per hour and to give tax breaks to firms who sign up to pay the living wage – something Alec Shelbrooke opposes – would help people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, and we will ban zero-hours contracts so people can get the job security they deserve.”